Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from George Rice, 24 March 1781

From George Rice

Charlottesville. 24th. March. 1781.

Sir

Mr. Thomas Standley, Assistant Deputy Waggon Master at this Post, is draughted for Eighteen Months service. I am very Sensible Should he be taken away at this time, it will be attended with very Ill consequences, as there is so many Public Accounts to come through his hands, which cannot with propriety be Settled by any other Person than himself. If there can be any thing done in this case, you can fully inform him, as he is very desirous of waiting on your Excellency Personally for that Purpose; and as a final Settlement will, I expect, in a Short time take place, with the Public’s Creditors, within my district, his attendance then will be most undoubtedly indispensably necessary.

I have the honour to be with all due respect & regard, Yr. most Obedient & very Humble Servant,

Geo: Rice ADQMr.

P.S. Mr. Standly has kept all the waggon accounts from the Commencement of the Barracks to this time and all Such accounts must be Certified by him and at this time I beleive there is 200,000£ of accounts Still uncertified.

RC (Vi); addressed and endorsed.

TJ must have referred this letter to William Davies because there is in Vi the following exchange of letters between Davies and Richard Claiborne referring to the above: (1) Davies to Claiborne, 28 Mch.: “The case expressed in this letter is a hard one, and I think does not do much credit to the courtmartial that subjected Mr. Standly to a draught. I have therefore sent him to you, to know whether you can employ him under your directions in the continental line in the station he has hitherto acted in. You will oblige me by expressing your answer below, and if you can usefully employ him I will as a continental officer direct him to put himself under your orders accordingly, as soon as he has finished his present duties”; (2) Claiborne, to Davies, undated: “Early in my appointment to this Office, I wrote to the Governor and Council respecting the persons in Continental employ being included under the Draught-law; a copy of the letter I inclose to you, and a copy of the Governor’s answer. As Mr. Stanly is comprehended under the Law, and has been draughted, It is not of my power to exempt him. All my Officers and men have, and will be draughted, who have not Commissions in the Line.”

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